Prioritize and strategize.

Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office I Report Officer under the Research and Development Division stressed this to the heads and planning officers of the research stations during the conduct of the CY 2026 plan and budget proposal workshop held at the DA-Ilocos Norte Research & Experiment Center in Brgy. Cali, Dingras, Ilocos Norte.

A three-day activity held on September 18-20, 2024 aimed at developing strategic plans and doable strategies in the implementation of R&D activities, plans and programs, the workshop also provided ways and means to identify issues and concerns relative to project implementation including human and financial resources.

Among the identified priority projects that the R&D group is eyeing for year 2026 are the repair and maintenance of the stations including its farm machineries and equipment as well as vehicles of the stations.

Encouraging all the heads of stations to avoid proposing for the construction of new buildings and to prioritize more on repair and maintenance, Dr. Mendez likewise encouraged a shovel-ready proposal for higher chance to be funded.

Meanwhile, Ms. Doris Joy Garcia, Chief of the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division of DA discussed the strategic direction of the DA dubbed as the INSPIRE which stand for I-Improve overall efficiency thru learnings and documentation, N-Nurture intervention given for sustainability of assistance, S-Service delivery innovation, P-participation of stakeholders in the integrated planning system, I-Interactive Participation among various stakeholders, R-Reward and recognition, and E-Encourage NGAs through convergence while FOCUS which stands for F-facilitative team leaders, O-Optimization of office procedure and process, C-catalyst of change, U-unified commitment in delivering result and S-support system in the workplace that highlighted what the DA would do to provide programs and projects for its beneficiaries and how the DA personnel would be working to carry out the vision and mission of the department.

To provide the participants the right understanding on how the group will prepare their financial plans for CY 2026, Engr. Eleanor Blanco, DA-RFO I Budget Officer reminded them with the guidelines in proposing their projects.

To complete the planning workshop and to provide a harmonious avenue for the research group to collaborate with the Field Operations Division, Focal Persons and Banner Coordinators were also invited and discussed their strategic directions under the Rice, Corn, Livestock and the National Organic Agriculture Program.###